2021 Ram 3500

Ram builds the 3500 in five trim levels: Tradesman, Big Horn (Texas customers know it as the Lone Star), Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited. Buyers can choose between two-door and four-door cabins, rear- or four-wheel-drive, and cargo bed length. All of these choices equate to 35 unique styles, with numerous optional technology and features additionally available. The basic Tradesman delivers a no-frills work truck for the most challenging jobs. Pricing starts around $36,000 in two-door, long-bed form. It features a 410-hp push-rod V8 engine, an automatic transmission, a limited-slip differential, steel wheels, a full-size spare, a backup camera, automatic halogen headlights, variable intermittent wipers, and manual-folding mirrors. The cabin comes with vinyl seats, push-button start, manual air conditioning, cruise control, a six-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, a 5.0-inch touchscreen, and a USB port. Those who drive long distances daily will appreciate the Big Horn’s comfort features, retailing from about $40,000. It includes heated power mirrors, cloth upholstery, floor mats, power cabin controls, and remote keyless entry. Need a little luxury? The Laramie model delivers, priced from about $51,500. This model and the ones that follow only come in four-door configurations. It gets amenities like alloy wheels, parking sensors, LED exterior lighting, fog lamps, chrome body accents, power-folding mirrors, dual-zone climate control, partial leather upholstery, heated front seats, 8-way front-seat power adjustment, a split-folding rear seat, remote engine start, wood trim, a heated leather steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an Alpine premium audio system, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The Longhorn adds western motifs for around $59,000. Notable features are exclusive leather seats and cabin trim, rain-sensing wipers, running boards, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, driver’s seat memory, HD Radio, a wireless internet hotspot, and navigation. Finally, the Limited model sits at the top of the lineup at roughly $64,000, before options. It has premium leather seating, 20-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 12.0-inch touchscreen. Optional extras customers can add to enhance the Ram 3500’s towing, style, and comfort include the Towing Technology Group, which adds, among other things, a surround-view camera system. An optional Night Edition blacks-out the entire exterior of the truck, giving it a sleeker appeal. Ram sells a couple of safety packages, with driver-assistance features like lane-keep assist, adaptive steering, and adaptive cruise control to help the driver get to their next destination without incident. Passengers with an ear for music will love the available 17-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system.

The standard engine for the Ram 3500 is a 6.4-liter Hemi gas V8 producing 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. It runs on regular unleaded gasoline. Ram also offers a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder that makes up to 420 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. The Ram 3500 uses a six- or eight-speed automatic transmission. Power is sent to the rear- or four-wheel-drive system. Properly equipped, the Ram 3500 can tow up to 37,100 lbs, which is more than any other truck in its class. It also has a maximum payload of 7,680 lbs.

Few trucks in the heavy-duty class have as upscale and comfortable an interior as the Ram 3500. The cabin blends classic truck-like traits like large physical controls and a vertical layout with car-like interior refinement and high-quality materials. From the base Tradesman to the pricey opulent Limited, Ram 3500 bests competitors' interior comfort and space. There is good in-cabin storage, with a locking glove box, a massive center console bin, door bottle holders, and other cargo boxes and small-item trays. The seats are very supportive for long drives; upper trims include heated seats, with ventilated front buckets an available option. Thanks to Ram’s tall ride height and large windows, the outward visibility is excellent all-around. The Ram’s standard infotainment system is user-friendly and intuitive, with quick menus and included voice controls. Those needing extra features can opt for one of the upper trims’ 8.4-inch or 12.0-inch touchscreens, which are brighter and come with an Alpine 9-speaker sound system.